The park gradually emptied as the night deepened, the rustling of leaves in the cool breeze sounding almost loud in the quiet darkness. Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the treetops, casting a soft glow on the girl and the monster below, faintly illuminating their figures. Natsumi Sakura's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the tentacle monster before her. "Muxiao, you really were human~~"
The girl was overjoyed.
She'd suspected as much before, even though Muxiao never confirmed it. But she felt her guess was correct… Whether he was a monster or human didn't matter. He'd helped her, saved her—that was enough.
But Natsumi cared deeply about this question, though she wasn't sure why. Or maybe she knew but was too shy to admit it. Muxiao had saved her multiple times, becoming the white moonlight in her heart, and she harbored subtle, complex feelings for him.
So, more than a mere monster, she hoped that beneath his monstrous exterior was a human heart.
And now, it seemed she was right!
After his indirect admission, excitement and joy surged within her. But as she read his words on the phone, those emotions vanished, her warm heart cooling rapidly, the air around her growing colder.
Natsumi froze.
What am I so happy about?
Muxiao was enduring unimaginable pain!
From a normal human to a twisted, terrifying monster—unlike Daisuke Hanaya and others, unable to retain a human form, forever barred from living in the light, forced to wander in darkness, hiding in shadowy corners, living humbly. How cruel, how heartbreaking.
Yet even so, he faced life with a smile, holding fast to his human principles and morals. Instead of joining those monsters, he worked to help others…
Compared to him, that disgusting Daisuke Hanaya wasn't even worth one of Muxiao's toes!
Muxiao bore the negative effects of his monstrous body alone, silently enduring both physical and emotional torment.
He was truly… truly…
Despite such hardship, she had complained about him earlier. I'm such a bad girl. "Muxiao, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were going through so much pain and sadness. It must be agonizing."
"…"
Holy crap, she actually believed me!
"But it's okay now~ I'll stay by your side, no matter what happens, no matter what you become. I won't let you be alone anymore, and I won't let you bear this pain by yourself."
"…"
Muxiao stared, dumbfounded, at Natsumi's increasingly tender and adoring gaze. Under the moonlight, she looked like a goddess.
"I'll share your burdens—your pain, your struggles, your sorrow, your despair. I'll carry them with you. And your joy, your happiness, your bliss—we'll share those too."
The park was nearly deserted now. In this secluded corner of the woods, unseen by others, the silvery moonlight bathed the girl and the monster, their figures almost divine. Like a moon goddess, Natsumi leaned forward slightly, her red lips brushing a gentle kiss on his jellyfish-like head.
The scene was breathtakingly beautiful.
And this wasn't an ending, but a beginning. After the kiss, Natsumi grabbed the stunned tentacle above her head, pulling it to her chest with a shy smile, pressing it against her heart. With even bolder words than before, she said, "If your body is struggling, if you can't hold back… I… I can help you."
Natsumi untied her hairband, letting her blue ponytail cascade down, adding a touch of allure and sensuality.
Muxiao: "???"
"It's okay. No matter how indecent or bad it is, I won't hate it or reject you," she said, her delicate fingers gently caressing his tentacle, her face blooming with charm.
"Because I want to help you—not out of gratitude, but… because I like you."
Suddenly at a loss for words, Muxiao thought, Natsumi, why are you taking the lead now? I thought this was an 8 PM soap opera, but you're telling me it's Saya no Uta?!
No, even in Saya no Uta, the protagonist saw beauty in the monster! Natsumi, you're really not holding back, going after a tentacle monster?
Ugh—
But to be fair, he hadn't lied. He was human, turned into a monster. And those uncontrollable urges? They were part of this monster body's instincts—who could say otherwise?
I, Muxiao Xiao, haven't told a single lie! All of it is sincere!
So, with Natsumi being so forward, how could he refuse her invitation? Heh heh heh—
"Natsumi, what's wrong?" Seeing him frozen and silent, she tilted her head. "Don't you like this?"
Natsumi had no experience, but as a Japanese girl, she seemed to have an innate talent for this. She cupped his tentacle in her hands, her red tongue lightly licking its smooth surface, leaving faint traces of saliva.
Licking gently, she occasionally kissed it, her gaze so intense it seemed to pull at him, fully showcasing her charm.
Muxiao shuddered, his scalp tingling.
"Natsumi, you're so seductive."
"Don't you like it?"
"No, I love it."
His tentacles moved quickly, typing with a seriousness unlike his earlier teasing. "But what about your childhood friend? Don't you care about him anymore?"
"Houichi… Why bring him up?" Natsumi blinked mischievously. "Are you jealous, Muxiao?"
"Yes, I'm jealous."
Emmm, might as well be honest.
"Ugh, you're… you're so direct," Natsumi said, blushing deeply. But she loved it—his words always made her heart race, her chest flutter. Compared to him, Houichi Matsubara was far too indecisive.
"There's nothing left between me and Houichi. Before… I had feelings for him because we grew up together. But now, I… I care about someone else more."
With a playful nip at his tentacle, she continued, "As for Houichi, we were never dating, never in love—just childhood friends. That's how it was, and that's how it'll be." She kissed and licked his tentacle, her red lips parting, her eyes sultry. "Satisfied now, Muxiao?"
"Very satisfied."
"You even get jealous, but… jealous you is even cuter, like you're pouting…" Natsumi let out a soft moan.
"Muxiao…"
Biting her lip, she slowly guided the tentacle in her hand…